Mr. Flaherty, a graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and the The Citadel with a degree in History, is a retired Captain with the Erie County Sheriff’s Department and a retired Lt. Colonel in the US Army Reserve. He has been associated with several federal agencies including the DEA, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security. He served as Head Coach for CHS from 1996 to 2005, leading the Crusaders to its highest number of US and Canadian National golds. From 2005 - 2007, he served as a freshman coach before returning to the Head coach position. His three sons (Tom '96, Scott '97, and Kevin '00) graduated from CHS and the US Naval Academy after exemplary rowing careers. Tom coached West Side Rowing Club junior crews to several summer championships.

Jack Hailand - Varsity Assistant Coach

Mr. Hailand's involvement with rowing began at Buffalo Technical High School in 1948 where he was a member of a national championship crew. While attending Buffalo State Teachers College, he rowed for the West Side Rowing Club, winning both junior and senior events at the Canadian Henley Regatta, and participating in the 1952 Olympic Trials. Jack was an avid runner and ice speed skater for many years, competing in numerous races, including marathons. He began rowing as a Master in 1984, and competed in the United States, Canada, Australia and many European countries. Jack retired from Fisher-Price Toys in 1990, and began coaching at Canisius, as well as coaching West Side Rowing Club junior crews to several summer championships.

Kevin Flaherty '00 - Varsity Assistant Coach

Data

Steven Becht '09 - Assistant Freshmen Coach

Data

Bob Becht '73 - Head Freshmen Coach

Data

Joseph Krakowiak '63 - Varsity Assistant Coach

Joe Krakowiak rowed/graduated from Canisius High School in 1963 and in 1967 from Canisius College. An EdM was earned in 1972 from U.B. After serving as an Army officer, Joe enjoyed a 38-year career as an administrator for U.B. A member of the W.S.R.C. Board of Directors, Joe was instrumental in restarting the high school rowing programs for CHS and SJCI. He served as Head Coach for CHS for four years, earning 5 national titles and representing the USA at the Junior Worlds in Czechoslovachia (10th in the world). Canisius recognized Joe with the John F. Barnes Award and membership in the Sports Hall of Fame. During summer club rowing, a number of US and Canadian titles were taken. Joe restarted the U.B. Men's Rowing program moving the team to the Tonawanda Creek and began the Women's Rowing program. Joe's U.B. teams won 4 Dad Vail Men's Championships.

Greg Rusch '09 - Part-Time/Administrative Liaison

Mr. Rusch, a graduate of Canisius High School, attended Canisius College to study History and Special Education before completing coursework towards a Masters of Education through Creighton University and the Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. While in high school, he served as team captain in addition to participating at some of the highest levels of competition in North America as a flyweight, lightweight, and occasional heavyweight rower. Having captured gold in at Scholastic Nationals and Canadian Schoolboys, Greg also had notable showings at USROWING Youth Nationals, Canadian Henley, and the Head of the Charles. After four years of rowing, he made the transition to coaching where he helped carry on a tradition by developing freshmen and novice rowers. Here he has led incoming Crusaders to several top finishes and victories at New York State, Scholastic National, and Schoolboy regattas.